About UIA

History

Throughout the pre-1914 period, Belgium was the main host country of the international movement. The UIA was founded in 1907 under the name Central Office of International Associations by Paul Otlet (considered one of the fathers of information science) and Henri La Fontaine (Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1913) to enhance collaboration between organizations, and to serve as a centre for documentation

Purpose and Objectives

The UIA serves two main purposes: to maintain and provide comprehensive, up-to-date, and reliable information on international associations, their activities and concerns, and their meetings activities; and to support and facilitate the work of international associations through training and networking opportunities

Structure and Statutes

UIA's Relevance to…

Global Issues

The UIA’s interlinked databases on international organizations, international meetings, and world problems and solutions are a powerful tool for understanding the complexity of global issues and the policy environment that can foster effective action

Associations

An important role of the UIA is to serve as an information clearinghouse and research institute which promotes the visibility of international organizations worldwide. In addition, the UIA offers associations a range of services and support

The Meetings Industry

In its earliest work the UIA quickly recognized the importance of international meetings and congresses to international association life. This recognition has led to a decades long engagement with what is now known as the meetings industry